Chapter 2562: Traitor_1
Xingluo Empire!
Dai Yueyan's face was solemn as he looked down upon the ministers below, yet he uttered not a word…
As a result, the room was filled with a stifling sensation…
Unable to bear the pressure, one of the ministers could not help but speak out, "That, that…"
But before he could finish, he was silenced by the icy gaze of the former, causing him to suddenly close his mouth...
Even though he might have been foolish, he could see that the other's mood was very ominous…
If he were to say the wrong thing at this time, he wasn't sure if he could keep his head on his shoulders…
After a few long minutes, Dai Yueyan finally spoke up, "My lords, please be seated!"
At his words, the ministers breathed a collective sigh of relief and settled into the seats that had been prepared in advance…
Although they did not know why he had done this!
"Bang, bang, bang!!"
Just then, the hurried footsteps rang out, and about a dozen soldiers of the Xingluo Empire, clad in armor and wielding spears, entered…
And they stood behind each of the ministers…
In an instant, their recently calmed hearts were lifted once again, and an ominous premonition surfaced in their minds…
Dai Yueyan, with an expressionless face, said, "Gentlemen, if my memory serves me right, you have all been assisting my father in managing the Xingluo Empire since his time!"
"Here, I thank you for your contributions to the Xingluo Empire!"
The ministers exchanged glances and quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty, you flatter us. It is our duty to work for the Xingluo Empire!"
"Indeed, indeed! As long as we hold these positions, naturally we must contribute!"
"Our little efforts are nothing compared to what Your Majesty has done!"
This was too eerie!
It was simply too eerie!
Despite the presence of so many weapon-bearing soldiers behind them, His Majesty the Emperor not only did not rebuke them but instead praised them!
Seeing this, Dai Yueyan spoke again, "Speaking of which, I should not have mistreated any of you, should I?"
Facing this question, everyone swallowed and quickly stated their position, "Not at all, certainly not!"
After getting the response, Dai Yueyan's tone changed abruptly, brimming with a murderous intent as he said, "Then... who exactly has been secretly selling our Xingluo Empire's intelligence?"
He had never suspected these ministers before…
But, as his orders were issued, the powers of the other two empires, even the Holy Spirit Cult, were informed at the very first opportunity!
Without a doubt, there was a traitor within the Xingluo Empire!!
The ministers immediately stood up from their seats and then knelt onto the floor with a "thud"...
Yet, they said nothing…
Dai Yueyan narrowed his eyes, "What's the matter? No one intends to confess on their own?"
Their heads were buried even lower, shaking violently…
The former suddenly let out a cold laugh, "Very well, since no one is willing to confess, later on, I need not show any mercy!"
"Bring forth the evidence collected!"
Soon after, a soldier brought forward a sheet of parchment and handed it to Dai Yueyan…
He spread it open and announced, "On this sheet of parchment, the name of the betrayer is recorded, along with the evidence!"
"Within five seconds, if someone confesses, they may be spared death, but if no one confesses, and I have to name them, they will be executed!"
A chill creeped up the spines of all the ministers, continuing to spread, as cold sweat dripped from their foreheads…
"Five!"
"Four!"
Dai Yueyan, upon seeing no one confessing, immediately waved his hand...
The soldiers of the Xingluo Empire behind these Daijin, one after another, raised the long spears in their hands...
The oppressive feeling of the entire space became even more intense...
Only then did he continue, "Three!"
"Two!!"
"It seems you're still not giving up, then I need not continue..."
Before the words had even finished, a Daijin said in panic, "Your Majesty the Emperor, I did not intend to betray the Xingluo Empire, I beg you to spare my life!!"
Dai Yueyan spoke indifferently, "Hmm, it looks like there are still some who know what's good for them! I keep my word and will spare your life."
Seeing that he didn't go on a killing spree, those Daijin who had previously held onto a sliver of hope and betrayed the Xingluo Empire also showed signs of joy, hastily raising their hands...
They volunteered to confess in order to save their lives!
If His Majesty the Emperor called them out by name, they would face the most extreme punishment; even fools knew what to do!
"Me, and me! Your Majesty the Emperor, I am innocent, it was the Holy Spirit Cult that threatened my family!"
"Your Majesty the Emperor, I was also forced to do so, I beg Your vast leniency to let me go!!"
"Your Majesty the Emperor, I want to report that he, and him, they have all betrayed the Xingluo Empire!"
In the blink of an eye, all the traitors had actively confessed...
Looking at the six or seven Daijin who had betrayed the Xingluo Empire, Dai Yueyan's expression was indescribably complex...
Although he had anticipated traitors, he hadn't expected there to be so many!
The leading soldier of the Xingluo Empire asked, "Your Majesty the Emperor, how shall we deal with these traitors?"
A fierce intent to kill arose in his eyes, "Take them all away, but leave them their lives!"
That soldier immediately understood his meaning and ordered, "Take all these traitors away!"
The Daijin did not resist and cooperated as they left the grand hall, all thinking they had managed to save their lives...
Little did they know that Dai Yueyan's previous words were simply said for their benefit!!
He then turned his gaze to the remaining Daijin and said with a light chuckle, "Alright, the traitors have been rooted out, gentlemen, there's no need to be tense, I trust that you are reliable!"
The few Daijin, upon hearing this, finally dared to take a breath...
They did not skimp on their praises, "Your Majesty the Emperor is truly wise, to have caught the traitors in such a manner!"
"Hmm, but in my opinion, those fellows all deserve to die, how dare they betray you!!"
"That's right, if they would betray once, they could betray a second time, they can't be spared!!"
Dai Yueyan nodded slightly, "Gentlemen Council Members need not worry, whoever betrays the Xingluo Empire, for whatever reason, they must pay the price!!"
...
At this moment, the Daijin being escorted by the soldiers of the Xingluo Empire...
"Phew... to think that His Majesty the Emperor would be so magnanimous as to spare our lives!"
"Yes, just now if we hadn't admitted it, we probably couldn't have escaped death!"
"Eh?? Why do I feel something is not right? Where are we going now??"
"I don't know, but since His Majesty the Emperor has ordered to spare our lives, we'll just follow along!!"
But when they arrived at their destination, each one's face showed a color of despair...
What came into view was an enormous execution ground, and the foul stench of blood that wafted toward them made one involuntarily retch...
...